Family-Outdoors

Birds will always use a bird feeder if given the chance; unfortunately, other critters may start visiting bird feeders this time of year, too.  "The majority of complaints we receive about bears involve a food source,” said Brian Mastenbrook, Department of Natural Resources field operations manager. “We strongly encourage people in northern Michigan to take down their bird feeders in the summer.” Bird seed is especially attractive to bears because of its high fat content (compared to other natural food sources) and easy accessibility. Once a bird feeder is discovered, bears will keep coming back until the seed is gone or the feeder is removed. While it is legal to feed the birds, those who do may be creating a potential safety issue by providing food for bears.  “Bears that are fed typically lose their natural fear of humans and can become a threat to people’s safety,” Mastenbrook said. “In some cases bears may even have to be euthanized.” The easiest thing people...

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that applications for Michigan elk and bear hunting licenses are available now through  June 1 . There will be  100   elk licenses  and 7,831 bear hunting licenses available for the 2014 hunting seasons. Only Michigan residents are eligible to apply for an elk license. Bear licenses are available for both residents and nonresidents; however, no more than 2 percent of licenses in any bear management unit will be issued to nonresidents. Hunters can apply online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings ,  at any authorized license agent or at a  DNR Customer Service Center . A nonrefundable $5 fee is charged at the time of application. Hunters may purchase just one bear and one elk application. Applicants may call 517-284-WILD (9453) by  June 1  for assistance with their application and may check their drawing results online at  www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings   beginning  June 30 ...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) With the arrival of spring, black bears have begun to emerge from their dens in search of food. State wildlife officials are encouraging homeowners statewide to take precautions to reduce the potential for problems with hungry bear. "More than 800 complaints about bear are called in each year," says Brad Koele, Department of Natural Resources wildlife damage specialist. Koele says many of these conflicts occur as a result of some type of attractant such as bird feeders, garbage cans, grills, or pet food left outside and accessible to bear. Although conflicts can occur anytime bear are active it is especially important to remove attractants during the spring when bears are emerging from dens and natural foods are limited. "Just because you see a bear does not mean it's a causing conflict," Koele adds. "Black bears normally avoid contact with people. However, when food sources are available bears can quickly learn to asso...

Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are seeking information regarding a bear poaching incident that occurred in the evening of Nov. 16 in northeast Manistee County. A trail camera photo provided to the DNR by witnesses shows a bear sow and three cubs seen in the vicinity of the Manistee County poaching incident. Conservation officers were called to investigate the shooting of a female black bear, found dead of a shotgun wound near a hunting blind on public land in Cleon Township. Witnesses said that the bear had been killed on Nov. 16 at approximately 5:30 p.m. Three bear cubs are believed to have been orphaned as a result of the bear being killed, although the cubs were not located. Conservation officers are seeking to interview a white male who was spotted at the scene on Nov. 16. The male is believed to be involved in the killing and is described as having a thin build, standing approximately 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall. The male had fa...

While out in the field in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, hunters and trappers might come upon a denned black bear. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for locations of denned bear in order to fit them with a radio collar for ongoing bear research. “Information gathered from female bears helps us to manage the black bear population,” said wildlife biologist Mark Boersen. Currently, only three female bears are being monitored in the northern Lower Peninsula through the use of radio-tracking equipment. “We would like to have a few more female bear collared throughout the area,” said Boersen. “Hunters are all over northern Michigan right now, and they provide a great set of eyes for information on denning locations.” After locating a denned bear, biologists will determine if the animal is a good candidate for radio-collaring. Only female bears are selected. They will be sedated by a biologist and fitted with a radio-tracking collar and ear tags. Hair samples w...

Black Bear  In Missouri , bears and mountain lions sightings and populations are on the upswing.  As a hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman, and conservationist, I believe that is a good thing.  Folks in other Midwest states can add wolf populations to the list of species that had been essentially extirpated, but are now on a hopeful road to recovery. A natural tendency is to fear what we don't know.  Each of these three species are pretty much unknown to the residents of Midwestern states, and to make it even more difficult, these animals have an exaggerated reputation for being dangerous.  Additionally, and especially with regard to wolves and mountain lions, farmers and ranchers have what seems to be an instinctive desire to eradicate every last one of them (an admitted gross generalization!). Of course the realities are far different.  Like sharks in the ocean, the ferocity of these creatures is far less than movies and the media would have us believe...

Results of the 2013 bear hunting license drawing have been posted at  www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings .   A total of 7,906 bear licenses were available during the bear application period (May 1 - June 1). A total of 267 leftover bear licenses are available in the Bergland Management Unit ( Sept. 25 - Oct. 26 ) and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis as follows: Holders of Lifetime Comprehensive Licenses, who were not selected in the drawing, may purchase a leftover license beginning at  10 a.m. Monday, July 8 . Unsuccessful applicants may purchase a leftover license beginning at  10 a.m. Monday, July 15 . Any hunter may purchase a leftover license beginning at  10 a.m. Monday, July 22 , including those who did not apply. Hunters are reminded that their preference points will reset to zero if they purchase a leftover license, except for Lifetime Comprehensive License holders. Hunters can increase their odds of getting a bear lice...

DNR wildlife biologist Pete Kailing recently had one of those days at work that he’ll never forget. “I couldn’t believe the luck we had that day,” Kailing said. “Sometimes it just feels like everything is working against you, but days like this are magic.” Kailing is the wildlife biologist out of Big Rapids, who covers Oceana, Newaygo and Mecosta counties. The Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State University are currently conducting a research project studying southern Michigan bear movements. Getting radio collars on bears is crucial to this study. This sounds much easier than it actually is. Although recently, everything was in the right place at the right time in northern Newaygo County. Dwayne Etter, lead DNR research biologist out of Rose Lake, and his crew had just finished up trapping and radio-collaring a small bear nearby. Kailing had been on hand to assist in the effort, and everyone was wrapping up the successful collaring effort and headed i...

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that the application period to purchase a bear or elk hunting application ends June 1. Hunters can apply online at  www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings , at any authorized license agent or at a DNR Customer Service Center. A nonrefundable $4 fee is charged at the time of application. Hunters may purchase only one application for each species. Drawing results may be checked online at  www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings beginning  June 24  for both species. For more information on the application process and hunting of bear or elk, check the 2013 Michigan Bear Hunting Digest, the 2013 Michigan Elk Hunting Digest, or online at  www.michigan.gov/hunting . All hunting digests can be found online at  www.michigan.gov/dnrdigests , at local DNR Customer Service Centers, or at a license agent. Want another chance at a bear and elk license? Hunters can increase their odds by applying for the Pure Michigan Hunt...

People interested in learning to hunt Wisconsin’s largest game animal have until May 24 to apply to participate in a  Learn to Hunt Bear  outing featuring classroom and field instruction capped with a real hunt with skilled mentors. “The Learn to Hunt Bear program represents an opportunity of a lifetime for novice hunters of any age,” said Keith Warnke, hunting and shooting sport coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources. “Working in partnership with many dedicated bear hunters and local conservation organizations, wardens and wildlife managers, successful Learn to Hunt Bear events have been held across northern Wisconsin during the last several years.” In 2012, DNR conservation wardens and dedicated bear hunters coordinated LTH Bear events for 56 participants in nine counties. A total of 42 bear were harvested: 25 over bait and 17 using dogs. Conservation Warden Jill Schartner who organizes the Bayfield County LTH bear event said those who participate in th...

(Photo credit: Wikipedia) As the remaining signs of winter melt away and black bears begin to emerge from their dens, homeowners statewide are encouraged to take precautions to reduce the potential for problems with these hungry bruins. Natural food sources are limited at this time of year, and bears are often attracted to bird feeders, garbage cans, grills, or other common attractants found in yards, says Brad Koele, Department of Natural Resources wildlife damage specialist. "Taking steps to remove any food attractants will greatly reduce the likelihood of having problems with bears,” said Koele. “Black bears normally avoid contact with people. However, when food sources are available, bears can quickly learn to associate humans with food and can become a nuisance." Highly habituated bears can be dangerous and may need to be euthanized. “Preventing the problem in the first place is the best solution for both humans and bears,” said Koele. It is illegal to in...

Black Bear  (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Applications for Minnesota bear hunting licenses are available beginning Monday, April 1, and will be accepted through Friday, May 3, the Department of Natural of Resources (DNR) said. A total of 3,750 licenses are available in 11 permit areas. The number of available licenses for 2013 is about 35 percent fewer than the 6,000 licenses available in 2012. The 2012 bear harvest was 2,604. That was a 22 percent increase from 2011, despite 15 percent fewer bear quota licenses being available. The increase in harvest for 2012 was largely due to poorer fall food conditions, making bears more attracted to hunters’ baits. The DNR’s goal with the lower license quotas is to allow for a gradual increase in the current bear population. “Although the trends in the last few years indicate a stable bear population, DNR is reducing bear license numbers in the quota bear area to increase bear population numbers,” said Dan Stark, DNR large carni...